Hi, I’m looking for a device that allows me to use my existing wall switches to control Zigbee devices, preferably via direct binding. Something like a Shelly i3/i4 (or a Shelly 1/2 in “detached switch” mode), but with Zigbee instead of WiFi. I can use a Shelly and then set up HA automations to turn the lights on or off, but that is less reliable and has a higher latency compared to Zigbee direct binding.
I have a neutral line in all of my switches, so it doesn’t have to be a device that works without neutral. However, because I have two-way switch wiring in several places, a (single) non-isolated switching contact would be beneficial.
Options considered so far:
- Sonoff ZBMINI / Aqara T1 / …:
- + cheap (~€10 for the ZBMINI)
- - loud clicking noise of an unused relay
- - isolated switching contacts (ZBMINI only)
- - state of outputs not exposed as an output cluster that can be bound to the light (defeats the whole purpose of using a Zigbee device)
- Philips Hue Wall Switch Module
- + does what I want (I assume, haven’t tried it yet)
- + no relay clicking
- - isolated switching contacts
- - expensive
- - battery-powered - this feels extremely unnecessary, especially because I don’t want to open the wall switch every 2-5 years, as it’s a pretty fancy one and will suffer wear from this
- Senic Friends of Hue Wall Switch
- + does what I want
- + no relay clicking
- + requires neither battery nor mains connection - more flexibility, should I need it
- - very expensive
- - design differs from that of remaining wall switches
It seems the first option really makes no sense compared to a Shelly 1 in detached switch mode, as I would need to rely on an HA automation anyway. Options 2 and 3 are significantly more expensive, especially considering that in one of the rooms I have three switches for a single light. Using a battery-powered device in a wall mounted switch seems just stupid, and the deviation in optics of the third option might cause trouble with my girlfriend.
An Aqara T1 without a relay, but with treating the switch state as an output, would be exactly what I want and doesn’t seem that much more complicate, so I’m a bit frustrated that seemingly it doesn’t exist. Could a custom firmware like Tasmota help here?